WITH the stars of Philippine boxing slowly starting to dwindle, ALA Promotions showcases some of the brightest young Filipino prospects that could possibly hold the country?s future in the sport of boxing.
Albert Pagara, Mark Magsayo, Kevin Jake Cataraja, Melvin Jerusalem, Geo Santisima and Elmo Traya are just some of the names that are being groomed by ALA Promotions to lead the country in the years to come after the current superstars like Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire Jr., Brian Viloria and Donnie Nietes hang up their gloves.
?There will never be a Manny Pacquiao in the next 500 years but we hope someone here will carry the torch,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said in yesterday?s press launch of the Pinoy Pride 35 ? ?Stars of the Future? at the St. Mark Hotel.
The 22-year-old unbeaten Pagara (25-0, 18 KOs) defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental super bantamweight strap against promising Nicaraguan Yesner Talavera (15-3-1, 4 KOs) in the main event of Pinoy Pride 35 ? ?Stars of the Future? on Feb. 27 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
?He is a good boxer. He switches stances from left to right. I like his style because he tends to get careless while coming in,? said Pagara of his 21-year-old challenger. ?I?m not thinking of a knockout because it will just come. I will just look for openings.?
This is a fight that Pagara can?t afford to lose, because he?s just inches away from a shot at a world title.
?We are not looking past Talavera,? said Aldeguer. ?We will be giving him a fight in the US in July and then maybe fight for a vacant world title next year. He needs the exposure in the US to position him to fight for a world title.?
Magsayo (12-0, 10 KOs), on the other hand, takes on fellow up-and-comer Eduardo Montoya (17-4-1, 13 KOs) for the WBO Youth featherweight strap in the co-main event.
?I?m used to this. There is no pressure anymore. I have sparred against the best and I?m ready,? said the 20-year-old Magsayo. ?I will do my best to knock him out.?
If impressive, Magsayo will earn a slot in the undercard of a show co-promoted by ALA Promotions and Top Rank that will feature Donaire Jr. in the headliner on April 23 in Manila and then fight in the US in July.
Former amateur standout Kevin Jake Cataraja (2-0, 2 KOs) gets a step up in his career facing a Mexican in just his third pro fight.
The 20-year-old Cataraja trades leathers with Mexican Tony Rodriguez (4-1, 1 KO).
Jerusalem (8-0, 7 KOs), 21, locks horns with former world champion Florante Condes (27-9-1, 23 KOs); 19-year-old Jeo Santisima (8-2, 7 KOs) is up against slugger Marco Demecillo (21-4-1, 16 KOs); and 19-year-old Traya (10-1, 8 KOs) squares off with grizzled veteran Romeo Jackosalem (16-11-1, 8 KOs).
